Kirwan may be out of Otago match

Press, 20 September 1985, Page 32

Kirwan may be out of Otago match

PA Dunedin The All Black, John Kirwan, may miss Auckland’s national championship match against Otago on Saturday because of a deepseated bruise suffered in his team’s match against South Canterbury on Wednesday.

Kirwan, who did not practice yesterday, has been bracketed with Kelvin Farrington on the right wing. The centre, Joe Stanley, dislocated his shoulder against South Canterbury, and has been replaced for Saturday’s match by the All Black, Steve Pokere.

The other change to Auckland’s Ranfurly Shield winning side comes at tight head prop, where Peter Fatialofa replaces John Drake, who leaves for rugby committments in France next Monday.

Auckland has made no secret of its intention to beat Otago on Saturday and to sew up the national championship seven days

after seizing the Shield

The home side is also hit by injury. The loose forward, Andy Hollander, has not recovered from his flu and will be replaced. Gary Fulton and Brent Pope are now bracketed on the blind side of the Otago scrum. Tony Lewis, who was ill for the North Auckland game, returns to the team in place of Ralph Milne, who is unavailable. The teams are:—

Auckland: Lindsay Harris, Terry Wright, Steven Pokere, John Kirwan or Kelvin Farrington, Kurt Sherlock, Grant Fox, David Kirk, Glenn Rich, Mark Brooke-Cowden, Alan Whetton, Andy Haden (captain), Gary Whetton, Steve McDowell, lan Abercrombie, Peter Fatialofa.

Otago: Greg Cooper, Paul Turner, Mike Gibson, Tony Lewis, Warren Matene, Lindsay Smith, Dean Kenny, Mike Brewer (captain), Dave Callon, Gary Fulton or Brent Pope, Gordon Macpherson, Richard Knight John Latta, Ken Bloxham, Trevor McLennan.